BALE: SPURS MUST KEEP REDKNAPP

Gareth Bale has warned Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy that the club could return to an era of dark instability if manager Harry Redknapp is allowed to leave for Chelsea.

Bookmakers slashed the odds on Redknapp taking the hot seat at Stamford Bridge after a surge of three-figure bets were placed on Tottenham manager on Thursday.

Redknapp insists he is happy at his current club but the fluent attacking football he has brought to Tottenham, and his success in the Champions League this year, make him a plausible target for Roman Abramovich, who is looking for a new manager after sacking Carlo Ancelotti last week.

Redknapp has succeeded where Martin Jol and Juande Ramos failed in getting the best out of Bale, who has become one of the most sought-after players on the planet thanks to a series of stunning displays this year, most notably the two performances against Inter Milan in the Champions League.

The 21-year-old says Redknapp has been key to his and the club's progression, and he therefore wants him to remain.

"I want him to stay, definitely," said Bale.

"Since I've been at the club we've had three managers and it's obviously nice to have him there because he has brought a bit of stability.

"We have got used to him and how he manages and how he wants us to play so it will be great to keep him.

"Nobody wants him to go and the club, I'm sure, will do everything they can to keep him."

Bale's own future has also been a source of constant speculation throughout the year.

The Welshman signed a new contract in March, but rumours persist of big-money bids from the likes of Manchester City, AC Milan and Inter this summer.

Bale admits that playing abroad would one day appeal to him, with Barcelona being one possible destination, but he insists he is happy at Tottenham for now.

"I left home when I was 15 and it was quite difficult then but if I have to move abroad then it's something I wouldn't be scared of," Bale said.

"Barcelona play great, great football but I'm happy where I am.

"I'm focused on what we want to achieve as a team next season and I'm enjoying my football here. I'm still 21, I'm getting a good run in the team and I'm still learning my football."

Meanwhile Bale is confident that Tottenham are capable of finishing above bitter north London rivals Arsenal in next season's Premier League.

Arsenal have dominated the fight for north London supremacy in recent years - a notion backed up by the fact that Tottenham have not finished above the Gunners since 1995 - but after seeing his team-mates tear apart Europe's finest in last season's Champions League, Bale thinks Spurs should be optimistic of topping Arsene Wenger's team in next year's championship.

"There's no reason why we can't finish above them," said Bale.

"We have a great squad, great players who are still young and we are playing great football.

"If we keep progressing like we have done this year, maybe get a few more players in the squad, then there is no reason why not."

Arsenal have the edge over Tottenham in the head-to-head record between the two teams, but Spurs' undefeated record in the last three league encounters has left Bale optimistic.

He said: "Every game that we play against Arsenal is like a cup final, especially for the fans. It gives them the bragging rights if we win, and we have certainly been doing that over the last couple of years."

Spurs brushed aside both Milan giants before reaching the Champions League quarter-final last season, but their poor league form towards the end of the campaign cost them dearly.